Old edition of NCERT Books are still high in demand in terms of UPSC IAS Exam Preparation because it has extensive coverage of the topics given in the UPSC IAS Exam syllabus. The IAS aspirants find it difficult to get an old edition NCERT book from market due to its unavailability in the market.

Here, we have provided Multiple Choice Questions of Medieval Indian History which have been created from the old edition of NCERT book, go and check your level of your Preparation of IAS Prelims Exam.

1. Consider the following statements regarding the divisions of ranks under the mansabdari system:

I. The ranks were divided into two: zat and sawar.II. The word zat means personal which fixed the personal status of a person, and also the salary due to him.III. The sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen (sawars) a person was required to maintain.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?a. Only Ib. I and IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: The word zat means personal. It fixed the personal status of a person, and also the salary due to him. The sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen (sawars) a person was required to maintain. A person who was required to maintain as many sawars as his zat rank was placed in the first category of that rank: if he maintained half or more, then in the second category and if he maintained less than half, then in the third category. Thus, there were three categories in every rank (mansab). To reward those who maintained a large quota of sawars for the state, an additional allowance at the rate of Rs. 2 for every sawars was added to the zat salary. No one could have a higher quota or sawars than his zat rank. Although modifications in the system were made from time to time, this remained the basic structure as long as the empire held together.

2. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the mansabdari system?

a. Apart from his personal pay, the mansabdar was expected to get additional pay to maintain a corps of elephants, camels, mules and carts.b. The Mughal mansabdars were paid very handsomely: in fact, their salaries were probably the highest in the world at the time.c. A mansabdar holding the rank of 100 zat received a monthly salary of Rs. 500.d. One holding the rank of 1000 zat received Rs. 4,400, while one holding the rank of 5000, zat received Rs. 30,000 a months

Answer: aExplanation: There was no provision of paying additional amount to mansabdars. Out of his personal pay, the mansabdar was expected to maintain a corps of elephants, camels, mules and carts. These were necessary for the transport of the army. The Mughal mansabdars were paid very handsomely: in fact, their salaries were probably the highest in the world at the time. A mansabdar holding the rank of 100 zat received a monthly salary of Rs. 500. One holding the rank of 1000 zat received Rs. 4,400, while one holding the rank of 5000, zat received Rs. 30,000 a months.

3. Consider the following statements regarding the status of economy during the period of Akbar:

I. There was income tax levied on the income of mansabdars and nobles of the court.II. The purchasing power of the rupee in those days has been calculated to be sixty times of what it was in 1966.III. The expenditure done by nobles in the upkeep of the animals for transport and in the administration of their jagirs was the responsibility of the court.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. Only IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: b

Explanation: There was no income tax in those days. The purchasing power of the rupee in those days has been calculated to be sixty times of what it was in 1966. Even though the nobles had to spend roughly half of their personal salary in the upkeep of the animals for transport and in the administration of their jagirs they could lead lives of ostentation and luxury.

4. During the reign of Akbar the dagh system was______.

a. To mark the divisions of landb. To marks the swords of each soldiersc. To mark the horses of each sawarsd. To mark the territorial boundaries of the Mughal empire

Answer: c

Explanation: Great care was taken to ensure that the sawars recruited by the nobles were experienced and well-mounted. For this purpose, a descriptive roll (chehra) of the soldier was maintained, and his horse was branded with the imperial marks. This was called the dagh system. 5. Consider the following statements regarding the contingency of Mughal period:

I. Every noble had to bring his contingent for periodic inspection before persons appointed by the emperor for the purpose.II. The horses were carefully inspected and only good quality horses of Arabic and Iraqi breed were employed.III. For every ten cavalrymen the mansabdar had to maintain twenty horses.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. Only IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: Every noble had to bring his contingent for periodic inspection before persons appointed by the emperor for the purpose. The horses were carefully inspected and only good quality horses of Arabic and Iraqi breed were employed. For every ten cavalrymen the mansabdar had to maintain twenty horses. This was so, because horses had to be rested while on march and replacements were necessary in times of war. A sawar with only one horse was considered to be only half a sawar. The Mughal cavalry force remained an efficient one as long as the 10-20 rules were adhered to.

6. Consider the following statements regarding the affairs of contingents during the reign of Akbar?

I. One of the provisions was made that the contingents of the nobles should be mixed ones, that is, drawn from all the groups — Mughal, Pathan, Hindustani and Rajput.II. The Mughal and Rajput nobles were allowed to have contingents exclusively of Mughals or Rajputs, but in course of time, mixed contingents became the general rule.III. The salaries varied; the average salary of a sawar was Rs. 20 per month while Iranis and Turanis received more and an infantryman received about Rs 3 per month.Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. I and IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: One of the provisions was made that the contingents of the nobles should be mixed ones, that is, drawn from all the groups — Mughal Pathan, Hindustani and Rajput. Thus, Akbar tried to weaken the forces of tribalism and parochialism. The Mughal and Rajput nobles were allowed to have contingents exclusively of Mughals or Rajputs, but in course of time, mixed contingents became the general rule. The salaries varied; the average salary of a sawar was Rs. 20 per month while Iranis and Turanis received more and an infantryman received about Rs 3 per month.

7. Consider the following statements regarding the jagir system:

I. Akbar did not like the jagir system but could not do away with it, is it was too deeply entrenched.II. The jagir system was one the most favourite systems of Akbar prevailed during his reign because it was most efficient system for revenue generation of that period.III. The system of Jagir did not confer any hereditary rights on the holder, or disturb any of the existing rights in the area; it only meant that the land revenue due to the state was to be paid to the jagirdar.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. I and IIc. I and IIId. All of the aboveAnswer: c

Explanation: Akbar did not like the jagir system but could not do away with it, is it was too deeply entrenched. As a Jagir did not confer any hereditary rights on the holder, or disturb any of the existing rights in the area, it only meant that the land revenue due to the state was to be paid to the jagirdar.

8. Consider the following statements about Akbar and the soldiers around him:I. Akbar kept a large body of cavalrymen as his bodyguards and he also kept a big stable of horses.II. Akbar also maintained a body of gentleman troopers, the persons of noble lineage who did not have the means or raising a contingent or were persons who had impressed the emperor.III. The gentleman troopers were allowed to keep eight to ten horses, and received a high salary of about Rs 800 a month.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. I and IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: Akbar kept a large body of cavalrymen as his bodyguards. He kept a big stable of horses. He also maintained a body of gentleman troopers. These were persons of noble lineage who did not have the means or raising a contingent or were persons who had impressed the emperor. They were allowed to keep eight to ten horses, and received a high salary of about Rs 800 a month. They were answerable only to the emperor, and had a separate muster-master. These people could be compared to the knights of medieval Europe.

9. Consider the following statements regarding the organisation of local government during the reign of Akbar:

I. Akbar did various changes in the existing organisation of local government.II. Hardly any changes were made by Akbar in the organisation of local government as the pargana and the sarkar continued as before.III. The chief officers of the sarkar were the faujdar and the amalguzar, the former being in charge of law and order and the latter responsible for the assessment and collection of the land revenue.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. I and IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: Hardly any changes were made by Akbar in the organisation of local government. The pargana and the sarkar continued as before. The chief officers of the sarkar were the faujdar and the amalguzar, the former being in charge of law and order and the latter responsible for the assessment and collection of the land revenue.10. Who among the following was responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the pargana?

a. Emperorb. Sarkarc. Fauzdard. Amalguzar

Answer: cExplanation: The chief officers of the sarkar were the faujdar and the amalguzar, the former being in charge of law and order and the latter responsible for the assessment and collection of the land revenue.11. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the organisation of local government during the rule of Akbar:

I. The territories of the empire were divided into jagir, khalisa and inam.II. The inam lands were those which were allotted to nobles and members or the royal family including the queens.III. Jagirs were allotted to learned and religious men.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. I and IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: The territories of the empire were divided into jagir, khalisa and inam. Income from khalisa villages went directly to the royal exchequer. The inam lands were those which were allotted to learned and religious men. Jagirs were allotted to nobles and members or the royal family including the queens. The amalguzar was required to exercise a general supervision over all types of holdings so that the imperial rules and regulations for the assessment and collection of land revenue were followed uniformly.12. Consider the following statements regarding Akbar’s attention towards central and provincial government:

I. Akbar paid great attention to the organisation of the central and provincial governments.II. His system of central government was based on the structure of government which had evolved under the Delhi Sultanate.III. The functions of the various departments were carefully reorganised and meticulous rules and regulations were laid dawn for the conduct of affairs.Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

a. Only Ib. I and IIc. II and IIId. All of the above

Answer: d

Explanation: Akbar paid great attention to the organisation of the central and provincial governments. His system of central government was based on the structure of government which had evolved under the Delhi Sultanate, but the functions of the various departments were carefully reorganised and meticulous rules and regulations were laid dawn for the conduct of affairs. Thus, he gave a new shape to the system and breathed new life into it.

13. Who among the following was responsible for all income and expenditure during the reign of Akbar?

a. Mansabb. Diwanc. Amalguzard. Mir bakshi

Answer: b

Explanation: Wazir was responsible for all income and expenditure during the reign of Akbar. Akbar used the title of diwan or diwan-i-ala in preference to the word wazir. Sometimes, several persons were asked to discharge the duties of diwan jointly. The diwan was responsible for all income and expenditure, and held control over khalisa, jagir and inam lands.

14. During the rule of Akbar, the head of the military department was called as_____.

a. Mansabb. Diwanc. Amalguzard. Mir bakshi

Answer: d

Explanation: The head of the military department was called the mir bakhshi. It was the mir bakhshi and not the diwan who was considered the head of the nobility. Therefore, only the leading grandees were appointed to this post.

15. Who among the following was allowed to give recommendations to the emperor, Akbar for the appointment to mansabs or for promotions?

a. Mansabb. Mir bakshic. Diwand. Amalguzar

Answer: b

Explanation: Recommendations for appointment to mansabs or for promotions, etc, were made to the emperor through the mir bakhshi. Once the emperor had accepted a recommendation, it was sent to the diwan for confirmation and for assigning a jagir to the appointee. The same procedure was followed in case of promotions.